When you receive your first student loan bill, it’s a serious wake-up call to adulthood. You’ll likely need to rein in spending and adopt more frugal habits in order to pay off your student loan debt. Here’s how: Try the 50/30/20 budget Start your budget off with the 50/30/20 rule for your after-tax income — 50% for necessities, 30% on wants, and 20% on

It can happen so easily. All it takes are some unexpected expenses and/or poor planning – too many meals out, a dental emergency, a new job that requires an upgraded wardrobe – and you find yourself with far more credit card debt than you ever imagined. Or perhaps you’re looking ahead to a life event that is going to cost more than you can save

I’ve mentioned how living at home is a great way to save, but many of my friends don’t take advantage of this opportunity. I’ve had friends living at home (making double my income) who have fallen into mountains of credit card debt…and this is without ANY bills! Since I’ve saved around $3,000 in the past three months I thought I’d share my tips for

Debt puts a strain on your finances and can cut a big chunk out of your monthly budget. Being under the pressures of debt can, at best, put your financial goals behind schedule and, at worst, cripple your ability to provide for yourself. The problem of debt is fairly ubiquitous in this country, with the total combined credit card debt rising to around $900 billion. However,

I don’t know about you, but paying for my kids’ college education is the kind of thing that keeps me awake at night. With tuition rates at record high levels, saving enough for even state schools can sometimes feel like mission impossible. So when Upromise reached out to me with information about the Upromise MasterCard, I was excited to learn more. If you’ve made a New

Net worth is a topic rarely talked about by savvy shoppers. The truth is that net worth isn’t just a term used by rich people; it is an important topic that is often overlooked by the middle class. Understanding your net worth allows you to gain a better understanding of where you stand financially. Use this quick guide to learn more about the importance of

Are you drowning in student loan debt? In 2015, student loan debt in the United States reached a staggering $1.3 trillion. Nearly 71 percent of students who graduated in 2015 carried student loans, at an average of over $35,000 per borrower. For students graduating with professional degrees that number can be substantially higher. You May Be Able to Pay Less.

One of the most commonly recommended strategies to prevent overspending is to leave your credit cards at home and only carry cash. Once the cash is spent, it’s impossible to make more purchases. The problem with this is that cash is easily lost or stolen, and there’s little hope of ever getting it back. How A Prepaid Card Can Help

You, like most Americans, probably enjoyed the holidays a bit too extravagantly to the detriment of your bank account. However, you, like most Americans, are not out of the woods yet. The New Year is rife with opportunities for expensive expenditures, like exciting vacations, significant birthdays, family and friend gatherings, and more. Without a spending detox, your rampant splurging will develop into a costly habit

I just learned about a new site called Cinch Financial that helps people save money on their biggest monthly bills. Think cell phone bill, credit card debt, mortgage. This company focuses on the hard stuff because they believe that while you know how to cut down on everyday expenses (like giving up your daily coffee habit!) the big stuff can get confusing. What I love most

Typically consumers and business owners receive flyers in the mail saying that they’ve been qualified for a particular card. While the deal may sound tempting, did you know that you can shop for the ideal credit card? Different types of cards could be better suited to you, depending on what your current credit needs.

The article “Millennials Who Are Thriving Financially Have One Thing in Common” has been making the rounds on my Facebook page this week. If you’re like me, you fell for that click bait headline and are wondering the answer. What is it? Rich parents. Who are the Lucky 3 Percent?

As a single person in my 30s, I make all of the mistakes: with dating, my career, whether to order guacamole or queso (always queso, duh), and of course, money decisions. Figuring out what to do with my money and how to set myself up for success in the future can feel daunting. Most days I feel like I have a head start, because I

Since I graduated college I’ve wondered if I made a mistake in choosing my major. English and Journalism seemed like the natural choice for an avid reader and writer BUT was my education really worth the investment? Time.com’s article, “Here’s What the Average Grad Makes Right Out of College,” shares statistics that has me, and may have you, rethinking your chosen major. How Much Do

With seven in ten college students graduating with student debt AND the average debt load hitting $33,000 in 2014, it’s no surprise that my friends in their 20s are FREAKING OUT. I hunted down eight common myths about student loans to help you stay on top of your loans and pay them off as quickly and cheaply as possible. 8 Student Loan Myths Debunked